Major city · Guatemala
Retalhuleu
Spend 1–2 days in Retalhuleu: see nearby beaches, ruins and theme parks; stay central for easy bus links.
Retalhuleu is the hub of Guatemala's Pacific Lowlands, offering easy access to Champerico beach, Takalik Abaj ruins and two major theme parks. A short stay lets you sample nature, culture and family fun without long travel times.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season)
- Airports
- Retalhuleu (REU) · La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City (GUA)
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Retalhuleu110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Retalhuleu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetyRetalhuleu is generally safe for tourists; stay aware of traffic when crossing roads and keep valuables secure in busy bus stations.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckREU Retalhuleu Airport (Small domestic field; most travellers arrive by road from Quetzaltenango, Mazatenango or Guatemala City — check schedules).
- Getting aroundBuses connect Retalhuleu to Quetzaltenango, Mazatenango and coastal towns; local taxis or motorbike rentals for short trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeQ5–Q8
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket to ChampericocheckQ30–Q40
- Budget bedHotel Posada de Don Jose, a night, per personGTQ 378
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 250 · Mid GTQ 350 · High GTQ 500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- REU Retalhuleu Airport (Small domestic field; most travellers arrive by road from Quetzaltenango, Mazatenango or Guatemala City — check schedules) · GUA La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City (Main international gateway; long-distance bus or shuttle to Retalhuleu — check times)
Map of Retalhuleu
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Retalhuleu
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Mazatenango · 20 km straight line
- Zunil · 35 km straight line
- Almolonga · 37 km straight line
- Quetzaltenango · 38 km straight line
- Cantel · 39 km straight line
- San Andrés Xecul · 46 km straight line
- Salcajá · 46 km straight line
- San Juan La Laguna · 47 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Retalhuleu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses connect Retalhuleu to Quetzaltenango, Mazatenango and coastal towns; local taxis or motorbike rentals for short trips.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Champerico
goDoor to door: ≈1 h round trip
Bus from Retalhuleu, about 40 min via highway 95
Pacific beach with dark sand; buses run daily.
Takalik Abaj
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Microbus to El Asintal, then walk or local transport north on REU‑13
UNESCO‑listed ruins, museum and small zoo nearby.
Xetulul Theme Park
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Local bus or taxi north on CITO‑180, 10 km (6.2 mi)Local bus or taxi north on CITO‑180, 6.2 mi (10 km)
Large amusement complex; consider day‑pass pricing.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Posada de Don Jose
Central town location, pool, a/c, wifi; price 378 GTQ per night
Mansión Los Guichos
Near Dino Park, breakfast included, pool, spa; price 517 GTQ per night
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q250–Q350 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q350–Q500 excl. bed
- High
- Q500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel Posada de Don Jose1 × 1 night × GTQ 378 | GTQ 378 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × GTQ 250 | GTQ 250 |
| Bus Retalhuleu → Champerico round trip1 × GTQ 30 · check | GTQ 30 |
| Entry Xetulul Theme Park (adult)1 × GTQ 150 · check | GTQ 150 |
| eSIM, about a week of data1 × GTQ 120 · check | GTQ 120 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 93 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 1,021 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 1,021 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | Q5–Q8 |
| Local meal (plato típico) | Q30–Q50 |
| Bus ticket to Champericocheck | Q30–Q40 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus schedules may vary; confirm times at the terminal (check).
- Roads to beaches can be rough after heavy rain; allow extra travel time (check).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
RetalhuleuRetalhuleu
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
US consulate in Guatemala City (check address); other embassies in Guatemala City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Retalhuleu → Champerico bus: ≈ Q35, about 40 min (check)
- Retalhuleu → Xetulul taxi: ≈ Q80–Q120, 15 min
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis-kuhl-peh)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra-see-as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwahn-toh kwes-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la parada del bus? — Where is the bus stop? (don-de es-ta la pa-ra-da del bus)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (pweh-doh pa-gar con tar-he-ta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the toilet? (don-de es-ta el ba-nyo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Retalhuleu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Base in Retalhuleu for 1 night, then day trips to Champerico and Takalik Abaj.
- If theme parks are a priority, stay two nights to enjoy Xetulul and Dino Park without rush.
Sources
Ask about Retalhuleu
Loading…
Was this useful?